Gas storage capsule and method for filling said capsule

ABSTRACT

The capsule and method for its filling concern to engineering of storage of gases and may be used in medicine, in household chemistry, in fire engineering, in perfumery, as a source of gas for inflatables etc. The invention will allow to simplify and speed up processes of creation of superfluous pressure in aerosol and others inflatable products to raise safety of their operation. The capsule for storage of gas contains the gastight case inside which particles of a sorbent for sorpting gas are placed, is supplied with the release tightened channel. According to the invention the case contains a free cavity from a sorbent which volume is sufficient for accommodation of the given quantity of sorpting gas in a firm phase, and is executed with an opportunity of introduction inside of the case sorpting gas in a firm phase. The method for filling of a capsule by gas includes a premise of a sorbent in a capsule containing the gastight case, having ability of a keeping of particles of a sorbent and an opportunity to let out gas from a capsule, sorption by a sorbent of gas. According to the invention inside a capsule form a free cavity from a sorbent in which enter the given quantity of gas in a firm phase.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This application claims priority from an internationalapplication PCT/RU01/00083 filed on Feb. 26, 2001 and having a prioritydate of Feb. 29, 2000, which application is incorporated herein byreference.

[0002] The invention relates to packaging and may be used, for example,in aerosol packings used for drawing paint and varnish covering, in theperfume industry, in fire technology, and also for the distribution ofproducts of household chemistry and carbonation of drinks.

[0003] The known spraying container contains the case, the distributingvalve—which is established in an aperture on a wall of the case—anaerosol liquid, propellant, the sorbent sated by the propellant, all ofwhich are placed inside the case.(International applicationPCT/RU92/00129, with date between the international submission from Jun.26, 1992, with date of a priority from Jun. 29, 1991, and the number ofinternational publication WO 93/00277 from Jul. 1, 1993, lntCl. B 65 D83/14).

[0004] Filling this spraying container is done through the refuelingvalve for a sorbent and propellant, and the valve for sprayed substance,which provides a high level of filling of the case with spraying liquid.At the same time, the known design calls for the creation of specialequipment for filling a spraying container. In other words, it isnecessary to create automated rotary lines for refilling these designssince existing rotary lines are not capable of carrying out refills ofsuch spraying containers, and reuse of these spraying containers forvarious sprayed substances and gas is not possible, since there is acomplexity of clearing of the case of spraying container and preparationof a sorbent.

[0005] Also known is a spraying container comprising the following: acase, propellant and capsule disposed inside the case, sorbent particlessaturated with the propellant gas and disposed inside the capsule, and afiltering element serving as a covering case of the capsule andpermeable to the gas propellant and impermeable to the sorbentparticles. (Patent of U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,649, with date of thepublication 22.06. 76, U.S.Cl. 222/399).

[0006] The described device is relatively simple, because filling such adevice with a spraying liquid and a capsule can be carried out throughan opening in the wall of the case before the installation of thedistributing valve.

[0007] Also known is a method of filling a spraying case by placing asorbent in a capsule impermeable to the sorbent particles and permeableto the gas propellant. Furthermore, the method involves filling thesorbent with the gas propellant, inserting the spraying liquid,propellant and the capsule inside the case of the spraying container andhermetizing the case of the spraying container. (Patent of U.S. Pat. No.3,964,649, with date of the publication 22.06.76, U.S.CI. 222/399).

[0008] In this way quality of saturation of a sorbent may be worsened bygas—propellant in view of an opportunity of penetration into a sorbentof the substances having greater, than propellant, heat of sorption in asorbent.

[0009] The gas storage capsule, containing the gastight case insidewhich the particles of a sorbent sated with gas are placed, supplied forthe release tightened channel (patent RU 2086489, lntCI. 65 D 83/14, 10.08.1 997) is known also. The known device is supplied locking an exit ofgas with the means lowering a degree of saturation of a sorbent by gasand focused on a given technical opportunity of its opening that narrowspotential variants of use of a capsule.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] Technical result which may be received at realization of theinvention, maintenance of a high degree of saturation of a sorbent withgas and expansion of opportunities of application of a capsule.

[0011] For achievement of the specified technical result in a known gasstorage capsule, containing the gastight case inside which particles ofa sorbent for sorption of the gas are placed, supplied with the releasetightened channel according to the invention the case contains a freecavity from a sorbent which volume is sufficient for accommodation ofthe given quantity of sorpting gas in a firm phase, and is executed withan opportunity of introduction inside of the case sorpting gas in a firmphase.

[0012] Tightening of the release channel may be executed as the valvesupplied with an elastic element, opening release of gas from a capsuleonly at excess of pressure inside a capsule of pressure of outside acapsule on the given value.

[0013] The case may be executed as the cylinder connected from two ormore parts.

[0014] The valve may be placed on a joint of parts of the case.

[0015] As elastic element of the valve the part of the case executed asa petal may serve.

[0016] The release tightened channel may be executed as the molecularsieve passing only molecules of sorpting gas.

[0017] For the solution of a task in view with achievement of technicalresult in a known method of filling of a capsule with a sorbent gas by apremise of a sorbent in a capsule containing the gastight case, havingability of a keeping of particles of a sorbent and an opportunity to letout gas from a capsule, sorption of gas by a sorbent according to theinvention inside a capsule form a free cavity in which enter the givenquantity of sorpting gas in a firm phase.

[0018] The variant of realization of a method in which gas enter in acapsule before filling a capsule by a sorbent is possible.

[0019] The variant of realization of a method in which a capsule form asthe cylinder executed from two or more parts is possible.

[0020] Due to application of the specified methods of filling, and alsoperformance of a capsule from a gastight material, supply by its releasetightened channel, introductions of a free cavity from a sorbent whichvolume is sufficient for accommodation of the given quantity of sorptinggas in a firm phase, and performance of the case with an opportunity ofintroduction inside of the case sorpting gas in a firm phase it waspossible to solve a task in view with achievement of technical result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Advantages, and also features of the present invention becomeclear during the subsequent consideration of the best variants ofrealization of the invention given below with references to applieddrawings.

[0022]FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a section of a capsule.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a place of a joint of parts of the case of the capsuleshown on FIG. 1, at performance of an elastic element as an elasticring.

[0024]FIG. 3 is the same, that FIG. 2, at performance of an elasticelement as a petal to which the part of the case serves.

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a part of the case of a capsule with an elasticelement as a percussion cap established in a window of the case.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a part of the case of a capsule with the acting releasechannel tightened with a molecular sieve and an rupture membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Capsule (FIG. 1) contains the case 1, particles of a sorbent 2for sorpting of gas (gas on FIG. 1 is not shown), the release tightenedchannel 3 and a free cavity from a sorbent 4, placing in itself thegiven quantity of sorpting gas in a firm and—or liquid phase.

[0028] Tightening of the release channel 3 may be executed as the valvesupplied with an elastic element, opening release of gas from a capsule1 only at excess of pressure inside a capsule of pressure outside acapsule on the given value.

[0029] The elastic element 5 may be executed as an elastic ring as it isshown on FIG. 2 which is established on an exhaust outlet of the releasetightened channel formed in the given variant of performance by a jointbetween parts of the case 6 and 7, and opens an exit of gas from acapsule only if pressure difference between internal and externalsurfaces of this ring exceeds the working pressure difference causing anoutput of gas through an exhaust outlet of the channel 3. In the givenvariant of performance of a capsule elasticity of the elastic ring 5which are carried out, for example, from rubber, is defined by therequired settlement deformation creating pressure of compression, theexceeding pressure of a stretching caused by working pressuredifference.

[0030] The elastic element 5 may be executed as a petal 8 formed by oneof parts of the case as it is shown on FIG. 3, as the most simple forinstallation of the form not demanding mutual positioning of a surfaceof installation and providing dense tight sealing of surfaces of partsof the case 6 and 7. For installation of one part of the case on anotherin one of them—a part 7 which are taking place inside in sealing unit,may be executed chinks 9 in the holding ledge, facilitating moving ofparts during installation 6.

[0031] At the same time variants of performance of an element 5 as amembrane, an elastic percussion cap, cramp, a wedge and other knownconstructive elements providing given rate of compression of an elasticelement 5 and opportunity of release of gas are possible.

[0032] In particular, the elastic element 5 may be executed as apercussion cap made, for example, from rubber and installed in a window10 of case 1 as may be seen in FIG. 4. In this variant of an elasticelement 5 it may serve as a valve closing an aperture of a window 10after filling of a capsule by particles of a sorbent 2 and sorpting gasin a firm phase.

[0033] Tightening of the release tightened channel 3 may be executed asa molecular sieve as it is shown on FIGS. 1 and 5 which is establishedin an exhaust outlet of the release tightened channel 3 formed in thegiven variant of performance durable case 1. Such element serves forpass through the release channel only molecules of sorpting gas andinterferes with penetration inside of the case 1 of molecules of greaterdiameter, for example organic chemistry, characteristic for structureswhich circle covers practically all possible applications of thecapsules which are carried out according to the invention.

[0034] For prevention of premature loss of gas from a capsule beforepressure in it will be risen up to the given amount (at transition ofgas from a solid or liquid phase in gas with simultaneous gas absorptionin a sorbent 2) the release channel may be supplied with an rupturemembrane 12.

[0035] Prevention of an exit of gas in a mode of phase changes ofsorpting gas is reached also by presence of tightening of the releasechannel 3 executed, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, as an elastic ring5 or a valve—percussion cap in the refueling window 10, installed afterrefilling gas and a sorbent as additional means of prevention of receiptinside of the case 1, under action of higher, than inside a capsule ofpressure, the components of an environment causing replacement of gasfrom a sorbent or influencing required quality of environment as, forexample, in case of use of a capsule as of a source of gas—propellant inperfumery aerosol packings.

[0036] It is expedient to provide the means preventing hit of particlesof a sorbent in the channel 3 for pass of gas which may be the porouselements executed as a part of the case 1, for example, as lattice on aninlet aperture of the channel 3 or as the inserts of a molecular sieve11 separating a cavity of accommodation of particles of a sorbent from afinal aperture of the channel 3 placed as separate filteringgas-permeable elements.

[0037] The elastic element 5 may be executed as the elastic stockingcovering the case 1 so, that at absence of a difference of pressureinside and outside of the case 1 exit of gas from a capsule is blocked.

[0038] The capsule as follows works.

[0039] In a mode of refilling and short-term storage, for example, on aline of use of capsules or a warehouse internal excess pressure inside acapsule does not reach a preset value until then while a solid phasesorpting gas, evaporating under action of an environment, will notsaturate up to the given level a sorbent that promoted by the loweredtemperature of adsorption, provided with taking of heat on phasetransition of gas.

[0040] Thus overlapping a final aperture by an elastic element 5 as itis kept from moving by compressing force is provided.

[0041] Thus hermetic sealing of the release tightened channel isprovided.

[0042] At a premise of a capsule in a working environment, for example,inside of the container in which excessive pressure should be created,phase transition of gas results in growth of pressure inside a capsuleand the elastic element 5 executed, for example, as an elastic petal oftightening 8 (FIG. 3) it is unclenched and under action of internalpressure in a capsule it is wrung out from a landing surface, informingthus a cavity of a sorbent 2 with environment environmental a capsulethrough the release channel 3. Gas leaves thus a capsule until pressureoutside of a capsule not risen up to the amount distinguished from valueof pressure in a cavity of a sorbent 5 on preset value, then due to ownelasticity an elastic element of tightening 5 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), 8(FIG. 3) will return to a starting position, and will block pass of gasfrom a cavity of a sorbent 2 through an exhaust outlet of the channel 3.

[0043] At pressure decrease in a working environment the processdescribed above repeats.

[0044] Irrespective of the chosen real designs for the decision of atask in view with achievement of technical result it is necessary and torealize the way of refilling described above for what refilling of acapsule conduct by a premise of a sorbent in a capsule having ability ofa keeping of particles of a sorbent and an opportunity to let out gasfrom a capsule enough, and sorption by a sorbent of gas according to theinvention inside a capsule form a free cavity in which enter the givenquantity of gas in a firm phase.

[0045] For prevention of an exit of gas from a capsule in a mode of itsrefilling and improvement of conditions of saturation of a sorbent gasenter in a capsule before filling a capsule by a sorbent.

[0046] With the purpose of simplification and acceleration of operationof refilling of a capsule a capsule form as the cylinder executed fromtwo or more parts.

[0047] Such process of refilling is expedient for carrying out in aconveyor mode directly ahead of a premise of a capsule in the devicemaintaining it, for example, aerosol packing with the purpose of maximaluse of the gas placed in a capsule.

[0048] As have shown experiments characteristic times of process ofphase transition CO2 make (at a premise of the last in the plasticcylinder in the condensed solid condition) tens seconds, that more thanon the order exceeds characteristic speeds of work of industrial aerosollines.

[0049] Let's consider value of this factor at use of a capsule as sourceof gas in the aerosol spraying container for creation of the necessarypressure of gas above 0.3 MPa for full dispersion of a liquid in volume250 ml provided that the free volume of gas outside of a liquid andcapsules is chosen in spraying container minimal (for example, less than25 ml). In this example the required quantity of gas, desorpted from acapsule inside of spraying container, should be not less than 750 ml orabout, 1.5 g at use as gas CO2. At use as a sprayed liquid of water orstructures on its basis for creation of necessary pressure insidepacking also it is necessary to take into account absorption of gas bywater which for initial pressure 0.75 MPa will demand desorption from acapsule in addition 0.4 g some gas and also to take into account fillingby gas of the free volume demanding 0.4 g more. In view of the residualcontents of gas in a sorbent at final pressure 0.3 MPa at a level 0.5 g,the total of gas filled in a capsule with a stock on losses at refillingwill make about 3 g.

[0050] Thus if as a sorbent use the activated carbon such as SKT, andinitial pressure in the case 1 of capsule create equal 0.75 MPa attemperature 22C the required quantity of a sorbent should be about 5 g,that will demand at density of filling by a sorbent of a capsule 0.4g/ml volume not less than 12 ml.

[0051] The volume of the cavity necessary for accommodation of firmphase CO2 given quantities 2.5 g, will make (at condensation of a solidphase up to 1 g/ml) about 2.5 ml.

[0052] At evaporation of specified quantity CO2 inside a capsule placedinside of aerosol packing, gas will be in part sorpt in a sorbent up tothe equilibrium condition determined by pressure inside a capsule andequilibrium temperature that will make under the mentioned aboveconditions about 1.8 g sorpted gas. Other part evaporated solid phaseCO2 will be absorbed by a liquid, will fill in free volume of aerosolpacking and will be lost during refilling.

[0053] As gas it is the most expedient to use CO2, Ar, N₂, O₂, N₂O, andas a sorbent the activated carbon, zeolite, silicagel or their mixes.Selection of various types of sorbents (for example, the activatedcarbon+zeolite) allows to optimize operating conditions of refilling,storage and use of a capsule.

[0054] As example of realization of the way of refilling described inthe declared invention the following set of operations with reference tothe device described above on an example may serve.

[0055] The sorbent prepared to refilling, i.e. disgassed, for example,by preliminary pumping out at heating, place in the case 1 of capsulethen in a capsule, using, for example, a window 10 in the case 1, enterin the condensed firm phase CO2 (so-called—“dry ice”), formed as atablet, pellet or a ball then in a window 10 establish tightly adjoiningto an exhaust outlet the elastic element 5 executed in the given variantas a rubber percussion cap. The collected thus and filled capsule desertafter that in the packing preliminary filled with a liquid sprayed. Thefollowing operation on packing establish and roll of spraying valve.

[0056] Taking into account high industrial speed of last operations(less than 1 second), losses of the gas leaving a capsule outside ofpacking, are reduced thus to small quantities.

[0057] The invention may be used in medicine, in fire engineering forcreation of pressure in extinguisher devices, in household chemistry, inperfumery, as a source of gas for inflatables and beer kegging equipmentetc.

1. Gas storage capsule, containing the gastight case inside whichparticles of a sorbent for sorption of the gas are placed, supplied withthe release tightened channel, characterized by further providing insidethe case a free cavity from a sorbent which volume is sufficient foraccommodation of the given quantity of sorpting gas in a firm phase, andit is executed with an opportunity of introduction inside of the casesorpting gas in a firm phase.
 2. Capsule according to claim 1, whereintightening of the release channel is executed as the valve supplied withan elastic element, opening release of gas from a capsule only at excessof pressure inside a capsule of pressure of environment environmental acapsule on the given value.
 3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the case is executed as the cylinder connected from two or moreparts.
 4. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the valve is placed on ajoint of parts of the case.
 5. Capsule according to any claim from 2 to4, wherein as an elastic element of the valve the part of the caseexecuted as a petal serves.
 6. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein therelease tightened channel is executed as the molecular sieve passingonly molecules of sorpting gas.
 7. Capsule according to any claim from 1to 7, wherein the release tightened channel is supplied with an rupturemembrane.
 8. Method for filling of a capsule with a sorbent gas by apremise of a sorbent in a capsule containing the gastight case, havingability of a keeping of particles of a sorbent and an opportunity to letout gas from a capsule, sorption by a sorbent of the gas, characterizedby further providing inside the gastight case form a free cavity inwhich enter the given quantity of sorpting gas in a firm phase. 9.Method according to claim 8, wherein enter gas in a capsule beforefilling a capsule by a sorbent.
 10. Method according to claim 8 or 9,wherein form a capsule as the cylinder executed from two or more parts.